HYDERABAD, March 26: As many as 353 candidates are in the run for 115 vacant seats in the by-election in 80 union councils of four districts of the defunct Hyderabad division.

The election is scheduled for Sunday for which 871 polling stations, with 2,764 polling booths, have been set up. Earlier, the by-election was announced for 346 vacant seats but 231 candidates were elected unopposed.

Of 13 seats of Nazims, three candidates have been elected unopposed while 46 candidates are in the contest for the remaining 10 seats. Likewise, of seven seats of Naib Nazims, two candidates have returned unopposed and 23 candidates are in the run for five seats.

There were 226 seats of councillors of different categories but 12 were elected unopposed and 307 candidates are contesting the election for 100 seats. In the Hyderabad district, 155 candidates are contesting the election on 50 seats of different categories in 34 union councils.

In Dadu, there are 117 contesting candidates for 34 seats in 24 union councils. Thirty candidates will contest the polls in the Badin district on 10 seats in 10 union councils and in Thatta, 51 candidates are in the field for 31 seats in 12 union councils.

According to details, 58 candidates have been elected unopposed in Hyderabad on different seats. Of six vacant seats of Nazims, two were elected unopposed and 20 candidates are contesting on the remaining seats.

There are nine candidates for one vacant seat of Naib Nazim in the district. For 10 vacant seats of Muslim general, 40 candidates are contesting. There are 28 candidates for 10 seats of Muslim general (women), 18 for seven seats of peasant/worker and 35 for 16 seats of peasant/worker (women).

Five candidates are contesting on two seats of minority. In the Dadu district, 43 candidates have been elected unopposed. Nine candidates are contesting the polls on two vacant seats of Nazims, eight candidates on three seats of Naib Nazims, 41 on nine Muslim general seats, 15 on five seats of Muslim general (women), 18 on five seats of peasant/worker, 19 on eight seats of peasant/worker (women) and seven on two seats of minority.

Twenty candidates, including one Naib Nazim, one peasant/worker and three minority members, have returned unopposed in Badin district.hirty candidates are contesting the election on 10 vacant seats.

There are 12 candidates for four seats of Muslim general, four each candidates for two seats of Muslim general (women) and peasant/worker (women) respectively. In Thatta district, 51 candidates are vying for 31 seats and 15 candidates have been elected unopposed.

Seven candidates are contesting on two seats of Nazims, six candidates on two seats of Naib Nazims, 14 candidates on three seats of Muslim general, 13 on six seats of Muslim general (women), five on two seats of peasant/worker and six on two seats of peasant/worker (women). Out of 16 minority seats, two candidates were elected unopposed and 14 are still vacant in the district as no candidate has filed his/her papers.